Graduate Program
San Francisco State’s Masters in Anthropology provides rigorous training in Archaeology, Biological/Physical Anthropology, Social/Cultural Anthropology, and Visual Anthropology. Anthropology Faculty and Lecturers are dedicated to research-led teaching in a wide range of specialties, and Master’s students are expected to participate in Faculty projects. While students acquire particular knowledges, skills, and proficiencies in the Department’s four areas of particular expertise, they also gain a critical understanding of the historical and theoretical foundations of the discipline. Class work is combined with advanced independent research that culminates in a thesis or other appropriate output (e.g., a film or other project).
At one level, the MA in Anthropology prepares students for a career in the academic world. While that career is often within the field of Anthropology, it is just as frequently in other fields such as law, medicine, education or media production. In addition, the MA is an excellent preparation for employment outside of the academy and has particular value for those preparing to enter a career in a multi-cultural or international environment, in government, museums and heritage management, or in any other public-service related field. In yet another direction, businesses of all types now recognize the value that an MA in an applied social science, such as Anthropology, adds to the resumés of both new and more experienced job-seekers.
Graduate students may specialize in 1 of 4 following areas:
For information on each of the emphases, please follow the desired link:
Biological/Physical Anthropology
Details and requirements of the MA in Anthropology
Admission to Program
Students must have completed an undergraduate major in Anthropology or preparation in another field, provided their undergraduate study has included work covering the general scope of ANTH 100, 110, 120, 300, 310, 680, and such additional undergraduate courses in Anthropology as the Graduate Coordinator deems necessary. Students who do not meet these conditions will be required to make up deficiencies in conditionally classified status. This course work is considered preliminary and is designed to create a sound foundation for the graduate program. It cannot be used as part of the approved program for the Master of Arts. These courses may be taken credit/no credit.
Applicants must furnish the Graduate Coordinator of the Department the following material, no later than 1 February for the following fall semester (no spring admissions):
- A photocopy of the application form sent to Graduate Studies
- A completed Department of Anthropology Graduate Program Application form (http://online.sfsu.edu/~mgriffin/GradApp2.html)
- Transcripts
- GRE scores
- Three Letters of Reference
- One or more Writing Samples (no more than fifteen typed pages)
- Letter of Intent: outlining experience, career objectives, and rationale for studying anthropology at the graduate level.
It is the responsibility of the student to keep in touch with the Graduate Coordinator, who deals with documentation and administration.
Each student is assigned to a faculty advisor on the basis of the student's field of interest. An advisor may be changed at the request of either party. The advisor acquaints the student with the Department and helps in establishing an initial plan of study.
The faculty Graduate Committee evaluates applications for admission, assesses the overall program, and reviews student progress. If a student is not making reasonable progress towards the degree, the Committee may recommend termination of candidacy.
Course Requirements
The following 4 courses are required:
ANTH 710 Proseminar in Anthropological Theory and Method (3 units)
Directed application of anthropological theory, methods and research techniques. Cannot be repeated for credit. Must be taken before or concurrently with other graduate seminars.
ANTH 740 Seminar in Archaeological Problems (3 units)
Problems in archaeological theory and method, including synthetic techniques and culture-historical reconstruction. May be repeated once.
ANTH 760 Seminar in Biological Anthropology (3 units)
Various aspects of current research and trends in Biological Anthropology. Fossil evidence, modern human variation, comparative anatomy, and behavior and evolutionary theory.
ANTH 770 Seminar in Problems in Cultural Anthropology (3 units)
Directed research in problems in Cultural Anthropology related to a specific cultural area, ethnic group, or specific topic. May be repeated once.
Students must take a total of 15 upper division graduate classes in Anthropology or allied fields upon advisement (15 units)
Students must take one of the following 2 classes (3 units)
ANTH 894 Creative Work Project (3 units)
Graduate Approved Program and Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement forms must be approved by the Graduate Division before registration.
ANTH 898 Master's Thesis (3 units)
Graduate Approved Program and Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement forms must be approved by the Graduate Division before registration.
Minimum total number of units that a master student must take is 30
Prospective students are advised to contact the Graduate Coordinator (Dr Mariana Ferreira; marianaf@sfsu.edu) to discuss application procedures and deadlines, and for further information about the program.
Links
Topic-specific specialty pages
Graduate Division
Graduate Division Application Procedure
Funding Opportunities
